The BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018 shortlists have been announced and the Marine Conservation Society, based in Ross-on-Wye, is one of five nominees in the Conservation Success of the Year category.

Countryfile presenter and judge, John Craven, said of the MCS Great British Beach Clean: “This is a fantastic project, an annual check on just how bad we’re being at disposing of plastic and other items. Recycling the plastic that they find on the beaches is a new aspect of this continuing project - they’re not just cleaning up the beaches, they’re turning it into something useful, which hopefully won’t end up back on the beaches again.”

Lauren Eyles, MCS Beachwatch Manager, says: “We’re really excited to see our Great British Beach Clean event shortlisted. We wouldn’t know as much as we do about where litter is found and what’s out there, if it wasn’t for our amazing volunteers, and what better year than our 25th anniversary to acknowledge their incredible efforts.

“We use the data collected to influence National and European legislation, encourage best practice within industries and run public campaigns that offer effective solutions to problem items. And we’ve got some real success stories such as wet wipes and single-use plastic bags. It would be lovely to receive this prestigious recognition.”

For more information and to vote for the MCS, visit: https://www.mcsuk.org/news/countryfile_awards